Hand injury
It is important to keep your hand and fingers moving despite your injury, otherwise your hand will become more painful and stiff.
What can I do to help my hand injury to heal?
You can do some simple exercises, often:
- Try to make a fist – flex your fingers to your pain and then stretch your fingers straight. Do this at least 10 times every hour.
- Practice squeezing on a piece of sponge.
Try to use your injured hand as much as the pain allows - especially for tasks like eating, and dressing yourself.
Take painkillers regularly – this will allow you to flex your fingers further with less pain
Do not wear rings until your hand is fully recovered from the injury.
What can I do to reduce swelling?
If your hand is swollen, keep it elevated above your shoulder as much as possible.
If you do not have any wounds or stitches then you may also soak your hand in iced water to help reduce the swelling. Repeat the soaking or ice packs for 5 to 10 minutes, every 2 hours.
When can I start using my hand normally again?
As the pain, stiffness and swelling improves, you may gradually reduce the amount of exercise and stop applying ice packs, or using iced soaks.
You should try to return to your normal use of your hand, as soon as possible.
Reviewed by Dr T Shaw in February 2022, next review in February 2024.
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